T R A D I T I O N
Karnataka’s Magnanimous Math
How a 105-year-old swami and his followers are creating
a 21st century spiritual and educational legacy that remains faithful to a
700-year-old past
LOCATED NEAR THE
TOWN OF TUMKUR, an hour and a half from Bengaluru, Siddaganga Math is among the
foremost Lingayat maths (home of the guru) in Karnataka. Its revered
105-year-old seer, Sree Sree Dr. Shivakumara Swami, has steered a revolution in
affordable education for millions of poor students. Indefatigable to this day,
Swamiji follows a grueling schedule of worship, work, teaching and
administration, putting in over 20 hours a day seeing to the welfare of the 10,500
children housed at his math, serving thousands of devotees and overseeing the
math’s many educational institutions.
History
and lineage
The
math’s 700-year history begins with the 14th-century sage Prabhu Gosala
Siddeshwara Swami. Legend has it that while meditating at a dry, rocky hill
which was home to many siddhas (mystics), he found a yogi in a cave suffering
from thirst and calling out to God for help. Using his yogic power, Swami
pressed his knee to the rock and created a spring in the cave, thereby
alleviating the yogi’s suffering and giving the hill its name, Siddaganga.
Swami later founded the math which shares that name.
Siddaganga
Math is a Virakta Peetha, where each successor is chosen from the eligible
sannyasis rather than from the pontiff’s blood relatives. It is dedicated to
three forms of dasoha (sharing or
charity)—anna dasoha (food), jnana dasoha (knowledge) and vidya dasoha
(education). The anna dasoha tradition of feeding the poor was introduced long
ago by Adavi Swami; today thousands are fed daily. The vidya dasoha culture was
introduced when Adavi Swami’s successor, Uddhana Swami, started a Sanskrit
gurukula in 1917 so that all children, irrespective of caste or religion, could
learn our scriptures; now nearly 7,000 students belonging to all castes pursue
Sanskrit studies here. Uddhana Swami’s successor, Dr. Shivakumara Swami, the
current pontiff, is also deeply committed to providing education for the poor,
and he has often walked 15 miles a day in the service of jnana dasoha, spreading
the message of Veerashaiva dharma and Siddaganga Math to the surrounding
villages.
The training of a pontiff
Parameshwarappa
is a retired chief engineer and close devotee who spends a lot of time with Dr.
Shivakumara Swami. “Uddhana Swami was a hard taskmaster,” he notes.
“Shivakumara Swami had to perform all the chores and tasks at the math, besides
attending to his guru and learning. One afternoon, returning from the hill
exhausted from collecting firewood in the scorching sun, he retired for a brief
nap. On learning the young monk was resting, Uddhana Swami summoned him. ‘Did I
bring you here and give you sannyas so you could sleep in the afternoon? A
sannyasi should not sleep during the day; it is against sannyasa dharma.’
Swamiji endured this grueling training unswervingly for 11 years, from 1930 to
1941.” To this day, 82 years later, Dr. Shivakumara Swami follows his guru’s
instructions in toto and has passed on the same values to his successor.
Where service flows from love of God Siva
DR. SHIVAKUMARA SWAMI IS HAILED AS A WALKING GOD. A
practitioner of ashtanga yoga, he is a strict disciplinarian who works
tirelessly over 20 hours a day, from 2 am till past 11 pm. Without any
assistance, he performs the rigorous three-hour Ishtalinga Puja in the morning,
the afternoon puja and the evening puja. “Puja gives strength to life and new
chaitanya (higher consciousness),” Swamiji says. “In spite of modernization and
new lifestyles, puja is the primary essence of our tradition and culture, our
foundation to leading a good, purposeful, spiritual life. We must unfailingly
adhere to it.”
He
lives a frugal lifestyle: no fancy gadgets or cars, no pomp or show. His food
habits are meager, and he eats only after worshiping his Siddalinga. If he
misses his pujas due to travel, he fasts completely, without even water, even
for two full days.
Swamiji makes himself available to each of
the thousands of devotees who come to Siddaganga every day from near and far.
If not in his chamber, he reclines on a cot in the open verandah outside, where
he remains for hours at a stretch until all devotees have had darshan. Devotees
throng the math till late at night, even 11 pm, and no one returns home without
his blessings. They have faith that their problems will be alleviated with his
blessings. “There are innumerable instances when people have had their wishes
fulfilled or problems have vanished and health improved,” says Renukaradhya, a
senior devotee serving the math.
To
Swamiji, children are God; he places their well-being and development above all
else. Whenever he finds time, he teaches the children Sanskrit and English. His
face and eyes light up with joy when he is among them. He gave up drinking milk
because it would deprive the children of buttermilk. He practiced walking
silently, worried the sound of his wooden sandals would wake the sleeping
children. He ensures that the children receive all the warmth and caring of a
home and never feel they came from a destitute background. “Even when he is
among dignitaries,” says Parameshwarappa, “if a child approaches him, he gives
all his attention to the child. Recently during a function he was walking to
the dais with the President of India. He called me and instructed me to give
some money he had left at his table to a student who would come for it, a young
man who had to remit his exam fees.”
Swamiji’s
calendar is astounding. On average he attends 15 padapujas a day (reverential
bathing of his feet by devotees), up to 30 during festivals. There is no fixed
donation for the seva; he has instructed his staff not to charge a fee for any
seva or seek money from devotees. “He accepts even ten rupees,” says
Shivarudraiah.
Swami
travels out of Tumkur and goes for three or four padapujas continuously, not
taking even a morsel of food till he returns to the math, no matter what the
time. Renukaradhya explains that “the padapuja brings in more devotees to the
math, and charity naturally follows, which will help the children. Even a swami
has to earn the prasad he consumes, his guru told him. Swamiji believes in
earning his food so long as his body is able.”
Swamiji
is a voracious reader and does not waste a minute. “He reads throughout the
journey without break. At times for hours together he doesn’t shift his
position or take his eyes off what he is reading,” says Veerabhadraiah.
I
asked Swamiji the secret of his longevity. He gave a mischievous laugh. “If
indeed there were a secret, how can one reveal a secret?” His elderly devotees
told me his disciplined ways and dedication are the secret of his long life.
Dr. Vijayalakshmi attempted to explain: “Our rishi munis lived a very long
life, spanning 150, 160 years. Now our lifespan is shorter because of
mechanization and modern lifestyle. We are less active, while stress and strain
are increased. Swamiji follows the two tenets of Veerashaivism, kayaka and
dasoha. He believes in working endlessly and performs service to mankind as
seva to God. He has no desire and eats very frugally. He lives for others and
has surrendered himself to service. That is the secret of his longevity.”
Sree
Sree Dr. Sivakumara Swami is the personification of Siddaganga Math. He
inspires all who encounter him. Thousands of children growing under his shadow
watch him closely and are motivated to serve and live a virtouos life. No
wonder he is called Living God.
Even in those early days Swamiji was
intellectually curious and erudite, holding graduate degrees in Sanskrit,
Kannada and English. In 1965 he was given an honorary Doctorate in Literature
by the prestigious Karnatak University. He taught mathematics, Sanskrit and
English at the Siddaganga institutions for 65 years, until the age of 90.
Knowing the value of education, especially in this modern age, he has
passionately steered the math to bring education to those who cannot otherwise
afford it.
Educating the Underprivileged
Growing from the tiny Sanskrit
gurukula founded by Uddhana Swami, today Siddaganga runs 132 institutions,
ranging from primary school to engineering colleges. Barring a few, most
provide free education; priority is given to the lowest strata of society. If a
student is unable to pay, the donation and even the fees are often waived.
Millions
of indigent students have received free shelter and education at Siddaganga
institutions. The math runs 29 free hostels and orphanages in Karnataka and
three more in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. More than 45,000
students—from kindergarten to post-graduate, professional and pedagogic
schools—study in its various branches.
Swamiji
is determined that the most eligible of the poor get this opportunity and use
it well. At the beginning of each academic year, he screens nearly a thousand
applications and personally interviews parents of the selected children. During
the year, he makes surprise visits to the hostel to exhort lazing students to
study.
Many
of the math’s protegés have risen to positions of acclaim, both in government
and society, and often return to serve the guru. Siddaganga’s alumni
association presently has 50,000 members.
Retired
professor Veerabadraiah, who taught here for 36 years, is one of those who has
returned to serve. “We have seen Swamiji lift stones and gravel for
construction,” he recalls. “He has worked so hard to nurture and look after us.
He has cooked food for the students and served them personally. There is no
work he has not done. He has brought up all of us and the institution by his
hard work. We came here with nothing and have reached high positions in life.
All the children of Siddaganga employees have received education to the highest
level they can reach. Once a person steps into Siddaganga, he’s on the road to
prosperity, especially in the values he imbibes.”
The
math’s jnana dasoha centers around lectures, discourses by scholars and
religious heads, recitations of Vachanas (Veerasaiva sacred writings) and
events highlighting our Hindu traditions and Sanatana Dharma. Every day 10,000
students assemble at 6am for puja and prayer. Swamiji unfailingly sits through
the half-hour rites and blesses the students. In the evening he again attends
the prayer and talks to students about dharma, tradition and culture. The math
also promotes spiritually oriented cultural activities; guided by Swamiji, the
Siddaganga drama group enthralls people with performances based on the lives
and philosophies of the Veerashaiva saints.
Swamiji keeps tabs on every activity, every
visitor and all matters related to each and every project. He inspects the
kitchen, store room and dining room several times a day to ensure hygiene is
maintained and the children are well looked after. Siddaganga Math provides
health care, not only to its students but to many who come seeking help.
The
math has been criticized for its involvement in politics. Lingayat politicians
do visit the math often; as Parameshwarappa explains, it is only natural that
they seek their guru’s grace and blessings for all their ventures and when they
face problems. “But Swamiji does not engage in any political conversation. He
would give them general advice on good conduct and good governance.”
Successorship
Dr.
Shivakumara Swami has trained his presumptive successor, Sree Sree Siddalinga
Swami, just as he was trained by Uddhana Swami. And though Swamiji has never
left India, he recently sent his successor to Australia and the US, explaining
that since he will have to carry on the math’s activities in this modern age,
he must see the world, broaden his experience and learn.
For Karnataka’s less fortunate people,
Siddaganga Math is a welcome boon, an oasis of learning amidst illiteracy and
poverty. Swamiji speaks sanguinely of the math’s future: “It was my guru who
inspired me on this path. I am only continuing his work. I have confidence in
my successors; they will take this work forward. Our goal is to serve and to
uplift the children.”
“My encounter with Shivakumara Swami”
(BY SKANDA PRASAD, BENGALURU,)
WHEN MY MOTHER MENTIONS SHE IS TRAVELING TO SIDDAGANGA,
I eagerly join her so I can meet the 105-year-old pontiff I have known only
from television and newspapers.
It
is 8am on a cloudy Saturday morning when we drive into the bustling village of
Kyatsandra. The steady morning traffic of working people streams past. The
narrow lane becomes a pleasant, tree-lined boulevard thronged with groups of
schoolchildren and passersby in traditional attire. Soon we sight ahead of us
the famed Siddaganga Math, nestled below Siddaganga hill. Painted in large
letters on that imposing backdrop are the edicts “Kaayakave kailasa,” meaning
hard work leads to heaven, and “God is one, the faithful call Him by many
names.”
Entering
the math, we pass through a sea of excited, smartly dressed young children
carrying books and chalk slates. Their holidays are beginning, and they are
about to leave for their hometowns. Many parents have already arrived, dressed
in traditional North Karnataka garb. A large group of boys listen attentively
as their teacher advises them how to live well and utilize their vacations
fruitfully.
Shown
into Dr. Shivakumara Swami’s chambers, where devotees come to seek his
blessings, we behold a beautiful marble murti of a meditating Siva. Seated in a
large cushioned chair behind an ornate wooden desk, Swamiji’s presence fills
the room, belying his small frame. Spiritual books line one end of his desk.
Swamiji’s sharp eyes regularly dart towards
the glass door to ensure that no devotee is kept waiting outside. No one is
turned away; no gatekeepers bar access or control the devotees. Math
administrators mill about, discussing official matters with the pontiff, but
Swamiji’s first thought is always for his devotees: if a devotee seeks his
blessings, everything else is put aside.
This
year the monsoon rains have been inadequate, causing severe drought; local
farmers’ crops are failing. A television crew is seeking a message from Swamiji
to provide strength and solace to the farmers. Someone hands Swamiji a small
cue card. He glances at it but speaks unscripted, exhorting the suffering
farmers not to despair, but to face with courage an unavoidable natural
calamity that, he assures them, will pass. He reminds them of their duty to
their families and asks them not to take any extreme steps (perhaps a reference
to the high suicide rate among this group).
Swamiji
seems almost unaffected by age. His back is bent, but his strength and
alertness are undiminished. I find his gaze piercing and alert, and note he
reads the newspaper without glasses. His answers to our many questions are
straight and lucid.
Noticing
another clan of devotees gathered at the door, he shortens his responses and
using his body language indicates we should conclude. We cut short the
interview and seek his blessings. Leaving the room, I glance back. Swamiji is
already speaking to a devotee. The room around him bustles with activity, but
he sits motionless and peaceful in his large chair, unaffected by the commotion
around him, his face displaying overwhelming compassion and love.
I
have heard of Swamiji’s love for children. As we leave the math, we see a crowd
of devotees receiving darshan from Swamiji, who is reclining on a wooden
platform. As we watch, he speaks to each and every devotee. His eyes are closed
for the most part, but when a mother brings her two sons before him, his eyes
open and brighten. He draws them closer, eyes brimming with mirth and happiness.
With childlike enthusiasm and a grandfather’s tenderness, he asks about their
studies and life, advising the elder one to study well. As they move on and the
next devotee approaches, Swamiji returns to his normal meditative pose.
Even while tending to the hundreds of
devotees, Swamiji has not forgotten us; the administrators have been instructed
to take us for lunch and show us around.
I
have never experienced the love and kindness Swamiji showers equally on
everyone nor the calm peace he radiates while attending to every detail in his
impossibly busy schedule. I feel blessed.
(SKANDA PRASAD is an electronics
engineer working for a multinational semiconductor company in Bengaluru)
Om Tat Sat
(My humble salutations to Sadguru Sri Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
ji, Satguru Bodhianatha Velayanswami ji, Hinduism
Today for the collection)
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